Faux blouse or shirt

ABSTRACT

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to faux blouses or shirts that are worn underneath a jacket, blazer, or other outer garment that are cool and comfortable for the wearer, that resemble a traditional blouse or shirt and provide the same decorative aspects as a traditional shirt, and that remain securely in place on the wearer when in use. Generally, embodiments of the presently-disclosed garment include a substantially-flat neckline portion that lays against a wearer&#39;s chest and encircles the wearer&#39;s neckline. Extending from the flat neckline portion around an inside edge of the neckline portion is a decorative element that resembles a traditional blouse or shirt collar, ruffle, lapel, etc. Aspects of the present garment also generally include a waist strap that is affixed to a lower end of the flat neckline portion and encircles a wearer&#39;s waist to assist in keeping the garment in place when in use.

CROSS REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION

This application claims benefit under 35 U.S.C. §119(e) of U.S. Provisional Patent Application No. 61/406,868, filed Oct. 26, 2010, and entitled “Faux Blouse or Shirt”, which is incorporated herein by reference as if set forth herein in its entirety.

TECHNICAL FIELD

The present disclosure relates generally to garments, and more particularly to faux blouses or shirts that can be worn under a jacket or outerwear to resemble actual blouses or shirts.

BACKGROUND

Traditionally, a blouse or dress shirt is worn underneath a suit jacket, blazer, sweater, or the like. Generally, especially in women's garments, blouses include full-length sleeves with ruffles or other decorative elements. The blouses also often include ruffles or similar designer details around the neckline of the blouse or shirt. Typically, it is the neckline that is the focus of the blouse or shirt—the rest of the garment is generally covered via a jacket, blazer, sweater, or other outer garment.

Often, especially in the summer and warmer months, wearing a combination of a blouse and a jacket can be unpleasant and hot for the wearer. Often, blouses are thick and ill-fitting, and can make the wearer excessively uncomfortable, can cause unwanted perspiration, and the like. Further, many women's garments are made of satin or other thick materials and include lace, frills, ruffles, and other ornamental elements that add to the overall heft and thickness of a garment. Also, a shirt or blouse that is tucked into a pair of pants or trousers can create unsightly lines or a bulky look underneath the pants.

Therefore, there is a long-felt but unresolved need for a garment that provides the desirable ornamental features of a traditional blouse or shirt, but that is comfortable and cool for the wearer. There is a further need for a garment that resembles a blouse or shirt, but provides freedom of movement to the wearer. There is yet a further need for a garment that resembles a blouse or shirt that stays securely in place when in use, and avoids bulkiness or unsightly lines created when a traditional shirt is tucked into pants or trousers.

BRIEF SUMMARY OF THE DISCLOSURE

Briefly described, and according to one embodiment, aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to faux blouses or shirts that are worn underneath a jacket, blazer, sweater, or other outer garment that are cool and comfortable for the wearer, that resemble a traditional blouse or shirt and provide the same decorative aspects as a traditional shirt, and that remain securely in place on the wearer when in use. Generally, embodiments of the presently-disclosed garment include a substantially-flat neckline portion that lays against a wearer's chest and encircles the wearer's neckline. Extending from the flat neckline portion around an inside edge of the neckline portion is a decorative element that resembles a traditional blouse or shirt collar, ruffle, lapel, or other similar element. Aspects of the present garment also generally include a waist strap that is affixed to a lower end of the flat neckline portion and encircles a wearer's waist to assist in keeping the garment in place when in use.

These and other aspects, features, and benefits of the claimed invention(s) will become apparent from the following detailed written description of the preferred embodiments and aspects taken in conjunction with the following drawings, although variations and modifications thereto may be effected without departing from the spirit and scope of the novel concepts of the disclosure.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

The accompanying drawings illustrate one or more embodiments and/or aspects of the disclosure and, together with the written description, serve to explain the principles of the disclosure. Wherever possible, the same reference numbers are used throughout the drawings to refer to the same or like elements of an embodiment, and wherein:

FIG. 1 illustrates a front plan view of an embodiment of the present garment that resembles a traditional blouse or shirt when in use on a wearer under a jacket or other outer garment.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front plan view of an embodiment of the garment in use on a mannequin with a jacket being worn over the garment.

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of an embodiment of the garment shown in use on a mannequin.

FIG. 4 illustrates a back plan view of an embodiment of the garment shown in use on a mannequin.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of some portions of an embodiment of the garment.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exploded view of an alternate embodiment of some portions of the garment.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the cuff portions of the garment.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

For the purpose of promoting an understanding of the principles of the present disclosure, reference will now be made to the embodiments illustrated in the drawings and specific language will be used to describe the same. It will, nevertheless, be understood that no limitation of the scope of the disclosure is thereby intended; any alterations and further modifications of the described or illustrated embodiments, and any further applications of the principles of the disclosure as illustrated therein are contemplated as would normally occur to one skilled in the art to which the disclosure relates.

Overview

Aspects of the present disclosure generally relate to faux blouses or shirts that are worn underneath a jacket, blazer, sweater, or other outer garment that are cool and comfortable for the wearer, that resemble a traditional blouse or shirt and provide the same decorative aspects as a traditional shirt, and that remain securely in place on the wearer when in use. Generally, embodiments of the presently-disclosed garment include a substantially-flat neckline portion that lays underneath the collar and lapel aspects of a jacket, against a wearer's chest, and encircles the wearer's neckline. Extending from the flat neckline portion around an inside edge of the neckline portion is a decorative element that resembles a traditional blouse or shirt collar, ruffle, lapel, or other similar element. Aspects of the present garment also generally include a waist strap that is affixed to a lower end of the flat neckline portion and encircles a wearer's waist to assist in keeping the garment in place when in use. Other details, aspects, and features of embodiments of the present garment are described in greater detail below.

Exemplary Embodiment

FIG. 1 illustrates a front plan view of an embodiment of the present garment 10 that resembles a traditional blouse or shirt when in use on a wearer under a jacket or other outer garment. As shown, the garment 10 is positioned on a mannequin 12 (for illustrative purposes) in a manner in which the garment might be worn by a wearer. The garment includes a substantially-flat neckline portion 14 that, when in use on a wearer, lays underneath the collar and lapel aspects of a jacket, flat against the wearer's chest and neckline, and encircles the wearer's neck in a similar manner as a traditional collar on a traditional shirt. Generally, affixed to the inner edge 16 of the flat neckline portion 14 along the length of the neckline portion is a decorative element 18 that resembles a ruffle, collar, or other similar ornamental component. The decorative element 18 is typically exposed when the garment 10 is worn by a wearer with a jacket or overgarment, whereas the substantially-flat neckline portion 14 is typically hidden from view underneath the jacket (shown and described in more detail below in conjunction with FIG. 2).

As shown in FIG. 1, affixed to a lower end 20 of the flat neckline portion 14 is a waist strap 22 that encircles a wearer's waist when the garment 10 is in use. The waist strap 22 generally assists with securing the garment 10 in place on a wearer when in use. According to one embodiment, the waist strap is adjustable via a fastening mechanism to accommodate wearers of different sizes (shown and described in greater detail below in conjunction with FIG. 4). As shown in FIG. 1, the garment 10 includes no sleeves, no torso portion, and no back portion (shown in greater detail in conjunction with FIGS. 3 and 4). Thus, the garment is lightweight, non-restricting, cool, and comfortable to the wearer when in use with a jacket or overcoat. Further, because the garment does not require any tucking into a wearer's pants or trousers, there are no unsightly lines or overall bulky look as often occurs when a traditional shirt is tucked into a skirt or pair of pants.

FIG. 2 illustrates a front plan view of an embodiment of the garment 10 in use on a mannequin with a jacket 24 being worn over the garment. As shown, the decorative element 18 of the garment 10 is exposed to view, whereas the remainder of the garment (e.g., neckline portion 14, waist strap 22, etc.) is hidden from view underneath the jacket 24. In this way, it appears to an observer that the wearer of the garment 10 is wearing a conventional blouse or shirt, as the decorative element 18 is similar to those of traditional blouses, and is exposed from the jacket 24 to resemble similar type elements of traditional blouses. However, as shown previously, the garment 10 includes no sleeves, back portion, etc. Thus, a wearer appears to be wearing a traditional blouse, but can remain cool and comfortable in hot and/or humid weather and other uncomfortable environments.

Generally, the substantially-flat neckline portion 14 corresponds in general shape and positioning to a jacket collar and lapel 28. The positioning of the flat neckline portion 14 in this way under the jacket collar and lapel 28 enables the decorative element 18 to extend from the jacket 24 along the lapel as would such a decorative element on a traditional shirt or blouse. Further, by laying flat against a wearer's neckline, the neckline portion 14 functions as would a traditional shirt by securely holding the decorative element 18 in place to prevent bunching or movement of the decorative element, and also feels comfortable to a wearer.

Also shown in FIG. 2 are two cuff portions 26. According to one embodiment, these cuff portions 26 function as wristbands that include elastic or other fastening mechanisms to be worn around a wearer's wrists when in use with the garment 10. These cuff portions add to the illusion that a wearer of the garment 10 is wearing a traditional shirt, as these cuff portions resemble the distal ends of the sleeves (e.g., the cuffs) of a traditional shirt. According to one aspect, the cuff portions 26 include decorative elements (e.g., ruffles) that match decorative element 18 to provide a cohesive look. Generally, the cuff portions 26 are entirely separate and distinct components from the garment 10, and are not connected to the garment in any way (e.g., via string).

FIG. 3 is a side plan view of an embodiment of the garment 10 shown in use on a mannequin 12. As shown, the substantially-flat neckline portion 14 lays against the back of a wearer's neck 30 and extends down and around the front of the wearer's neckline until it reaches its lower end 20 where it attaches to the waist strap 22. As mentioned previously and as shown in FIG. 3, embodiments of the garment 10 generally do not include sleeves, torso portions, back portions, etc., so as to enable comfort and wearability of the garment while at the same time providing the illusion that the wearer is wearing a traditional shirt or blouse.

FIG. 4 illustrates a back plan view of an embodiment of the garment 10 shown in use on a mannequin 12. The view in FIG. 4 clearly illustrates the manner in which the substantially-flat neckline portion 14 of the garment 10 extends around the back of a wearer's neck to hold the garment in place and provide a secure base for the decorative element 18 when the garment is in use. Also shown in FIG. 4 is the fastening mechanism 32 of the waist strap 22 that enables the waist strap to wrap and fasten around a wearer. In the particular embodiment shown in FIG. 4, the fastening mechanism is a single button. However, as will be understood and appreciated, the fastening mechanism may comprise a variety of types of fasteners, including buttons, snaps, hook and loop fasteners (e.g., VELCRO®), elastic, buckles, or other fasteners as will occur to one of ordinary skill in the art. Further, although a single button type fastener is shown in FIG. 4, it will also be understood that the fastening mechanism may comprise an adjustable fastener such as multiple buttons and button holes, hook and loop fasteners, adjustable hook and eyelet combinations, etc.

FIG. 5 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of some portions of the garment 10. Specifically, FIG. 5 shows pieces of the garment 10 prior to combining them together to form the completed garment. As will be understood and appreciated, components or pieces of the garment 10 may be combined via conventional sewing construction techniques, such as stitching, high strength adhesive, and the like. Specifically shown in FIG. 5 are pieces of the substantially-flat neckline portion 14 and the decorative element 18. The waist strap 22 and other previously-mentioned components are not shown in FIG. 5.

FIG. 6 illustrates another exploded view of an alternate embodiment of some portions of the garment 10. Specifically, FIG. 6 shows the decorative element 18, pieces of the substantially-flat neckline portion 14, and the waist strap 22.

FIG. 7 illustrates an exploded view of an embodiment of the cuff portions 26. As mentioned previously, these cuff portions 26 function as wristbands that include elastic or other fastening mechanisms to be worn around a wearer's wrists when in use with the garment 10. These cuff portions add to the illusion that a wearer of the garment 10 is wearing a traditional shirt or blouse. As shown in FIG. 7, the cuff portions 26 generally include a wrist band element 38, elastic 36 for the wrist band element, and decorative portions 40. Illustrated at the bottom of FIG. 7 is an image of a completed cuff portion 26. As mentioned previously in connection with FIG. 5, and as will be understood and appreciated, components or pieces of the garment 10 may be combined via conventional sewing construction techniques, such as stitching, high strength adhesive, and the like.

The foregoing description of the exemplary embodiments has been presented only for the purposes of illustration and description and is not intended to be exhaustive or to limit the inventions to the precise forms disclosed. For example, according to other embodiments, the decorative element 18 of the garment 10 may include multiple layers of ruffles, or may resemble a lapel or dress shirt collar (as opposed to a ruffle). Or, instead of incorporating a waist strap element 22, embodiments of the present garment simply include a fastener (e.g., suspender clip) at the lower end of the flat neckline portion 14 such that the lower end clips to a wearer's pants to secure the garment in place. As will be further understood, embodiments of the present garment may be manufactured from a variety of materials, including satin, cotton, silk, wool, taffeta, or any other material that is customarily used in garment manufacturing. Further, embodiments of the present garment may comprise various sizes to accommodate different-sized wearers. Many modifications and variations are possible in light of the above teaching.

The embodiments were chosen and described in order to explain the principles of the inventions and their practical application so as to enable others skilled in the art to utilize the inventions and various embodiments and with various modifications as are suited to the particular use contemplated. Alternative embodiments will become apparent to those skilled in the art to which the present inventions pertain without departing from their spirit and scope. 

1. A faux shirt, comprising: a substantially-flat neckline portion to be worn by a garment wearer around the wearer's neckline, wherein the substantially-flat neckline portion lays flat against the wearer's neckline when in use; a decorative element affixed to the substantially-flat neckline portion and extending around the length of the neckline portion for creating an illusion of a traditional shirt; and a waist strap component affixed to a lower end of the substantially-flat neckline portion and encircling the wearer's waist, the waist strap component comprising two opposing ends having corresponding fastening mechanisms to enable fastening of the waist strap around the garment wearer, whereby, when in use, the decorative element is exposed from an outer garment to resemble a traditional shirt.
 2. The faux shirt of claim 1, wherein the decorative element is affixed along its length to an inner edge of the substantially-flat neckline portion.
 3. The faux shirt of claim 1, wherein the decorative element resembles an element of a traditional shirt selected from the group comprising: a ruffle, a lapel, a collar.
 4. The faux shirt of claim 1, wherein the decorative element comprises more than one layer of ruffles.
 5. The faux shirt of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanisms on the waist strap are selected from the group comprising: buttons, hook and loop fasteners, hook and eyelet fasteners, snaps, buckles, elastic bands.
 6. The faux shirt of claim 1, wherein the fastening mechanisms are adjustable.
 7. The faux shirt of claim 1, wherein the substantially-flat neckline portion comprises a reverse tear drop shape.
 8. The faux shirt of claim 1, wherein the substantially-flat neckline comprises a shape corresponding to a jacket collar and lapel.
 9. The faux shirt of claim 1, further comprising two cuff portions to be worn on the garment wearer's wrists to resemble traditional shirt cuffs.
 10. The faux shirt of claim 9, wherein the two cuff portions are not physically connected to the faux shirt.
 11. The faux shirt of claim 9, wherein the two cuff portions include decorative elements that match those on the substantially-flat neckline portion.
 12. The faux shirt of claim 1, wherein the outer garment is selected from the group comprising: a jacket, a blazer, a sweater, a coat. 